What Readers Say about Football, Fast Friends, and Small Towns

The book’s title begins with “Football” and its importance cannot be overstated. All the metaphors for football as life are present, but [Steve] Love wants to follow the real story of his time in Nowata [Oklahoma], and the friends he made playing basketball and football. The Berry family, with four athletic sons, became an extended family; their youngest son KB played quarterback to Love’s center and later fullback.

The central themes of high school football and friendships and their connection to the world beyond is well-grounded by Love’s personal insight.
— Barbara McIntyre, Akron Beacon Journal/USA TODAY NETWORK book critic

Critic Barbara McIntyre recognizes that [Steve Love] has written, fittingly, a love letter to small-town life in Oklahoma, which centers around, of course, football. One spoiler not in the review: The author gets arrested for drag racing, sort of like Harrison Ford in American Graffiti.
— Stuart Warner, retired Akron Beacon Journal columnist, writer, and editor (book blurb from Facebook)

This is a book authored by long-time friend and former fellow sportswriter Steve Love. He became famous . . . I became a non-famous writer. Anyhow, we both have our roots deeply entrenched in our beloved Oklahoma and this book is well worth reading . . . especially if you come from a small town (no matter where it is) and love high school football. I do!
— Henry J. Inman Paonessa, Founder Goldfinch Communications and author of Rubber Mirror: Reflections of the Rubber Division’s First 100 Years (book blurb from Facebook)

Steve Love shows us the pain of moving from his loved small of Nowata Oklahoma to Sacramento and how he could never really go home again. Friday night lights came to life in this book and friends made along the way are friends for life. This is the book for peaceful night of reading and reflecting on our own lives.
— Art Krummel, retired Akron Beacon Journal illustrator, designer, art director, technology guru (Amazon review)

Steve Love is a writer who can turn a phrase. (It hurt so good) We have been friends for a long time, but this semi-autobiographical book had things that even surprised me, including his stories from Virginia Military Institute. We are enjoying reading about the boy-man who grew up to be an outstanding journalist. Nowata and Bridgeport, Ohio [my hometown] are not all that different. The life-shaping effect of the game of football is way out of balance. Yet it is very much as [he] describes. [He is] such a good writer.
— Charlene Nevada, retired Akron Beacon Journal writer and editor (combined Facebook book blurb and an email)

Everyone in town knows that Nowata is a special place. From the Friday night lights of Ironmen football to the unique experience of growing up in a small town, Nowata has so many great things to offer, in both good times and bad, because of the folks who live here. That experience . . . in small-town America has been perfectly captured by an acclaimed writer who still calls Nowata his home town. Steve Love grew up in Nowata before moving on to become an award-winning journalist and author over a 40-year career. In his newest book . . . Love recounts his fond memories of growing up in Nowata, the friendships formed and the [heartbreak].
— Denton Thomason, Nowata (Okla.) Star staff writer

Got my book from my old friend Steve Love . . . Now to read about my home town. Well, just passed a record. I read Steve Love’s book about Nowata, among other places, and people he knew and worked with [in] two evenings. Couldn’t put it down.
— Dave Neely, former Nowata Ironman and Nowata County Assessor (on Facebook)

Like Steve, I too grew up in Nowata a year behind him in school. This book really captures what it was like to be from Nowata. Many of those mentioned in the book were also friends of mine. What a great read. Thanks, Steve, for reminding me . . . how great it was to grow up in Nowata.
— Jim Atkisson (Amazon review)

I [had] not read a book in more than 24 years. Just haven’t been interested in any. This book about football was a gift for Christmas. Steve captured the essence of the Good Old Days. I read this book in three days, and, to be honest, wanted more. Many of the people in this book I either knew on a personal level or [had] heard of. Please take time to give this a thoughtful read. Even if you are not from Oklahoma, California, or Ohio, you will love the history of each as seen [through] Steve’s eyes. 
— Lynda Gillman (Amazon review)

I was born and raised in Nowata also, so I have many fond memories. I have never moved from Nowata . . . I am a Nowata girl, through and through. I just finished reading your book . . . It is so nice that someone would spend the time to write such a great book and talk about so many of the people that I remember. I had to take this opportunity to thank you for writing it.
— Sandra Dodge Craven (from a personal letter)

What Readers Say about Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

A beautiful, accurate accounting of an exquisite home. The pictures catch your eye and hold your attention. I purchased this book after I had toured the home. I wanted to “walk through the rooms again” and “feel the presence of the past”
—Linda Connor (Amazon review)

The pictures are fabulous and the text very interesting. It’s just like being in the mansion.
— Donna Lavdis (Amazon review)

What Readers Say about Wheels of Fortune: The Story of Rubber in Akron

As a native of Akron, OH, I was very interested in reading this book and learning the history of the city (that) was known as the Rubber Capitol of the World.
This book is very well written and contains many beautiful sharp photos from the past. The rubber industry has had an effect on everyone. Learn how it all started and how the creator of modern rubber died penniless. I very highly recommend this book!
— Jeff Mothersbaugh (Amazon review)

Excellent case study of how invention grew a city and the company-city relationship. Demonstrates the importance of innovation and how industries die if they don’t embrace change. The effect on the Akron people is excellent.
— M. Censky (Amazon review)

What Readers Say about The Golden Dream

Gerry Faust was a man equally passionate about his faith as he was about football. Although he might not appreciate it, in reading the book I found myself reminded of Jimmy Carter. Both were honorable and honest men who came from humble beginnings and landed the greatest jobs in the country, only to find themselves a bit overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of the positions they held.

In this book, Coach Faust presents an honest account of the good times and bad, and provides insight into some of the decisions he made and lessons he learned. He and his co-author (Steve Love) also offer the views from others who have a different take on certain situations. The result is a fascinating and balanced account of being at the center of America’s most storied college football program. For those who are familiar with Notre Dame, you will also enjoy reading Coach Faust’s accounts of his time on campus and his relationships with many of the players, recruits, and the university’s administration, specifically Fr. Hesburgh and Fr. Joyce.
— Joseph Stachler (Amazon review)

I was at Notre Dame for Coach Faust’s first two years. I remember his first- game win against LSU and being ranked No. 1. I also recall his inspirational talks in that raspy voice of his.


Yes, he did NOT have a great win-loss record. But he won some huge games and put a lot of points on the board. (Contrast with Ty Willingham’s recent results.) He also recruited many of the players who were part of the 1988 championship.

Classy man, inspirational coach and someone whom I will always hold in high regard—I really enjoyed the book. Easy and fun to read and a great learning experience.
— Jeffery Ogden, Class of 1982 (Amazon review)

What Readers Say about The Indomitable Don Plusquellic:
How a Controversial Mayor Quarterbacked Akron’s Comeback

Akron has borne its share of outsized personalities—Ray C. Bliss, LeBron James, Jack Knight. Don Plusquellic can hold his own with any of them and might likely be the first to tell you so. This is the biography he deserves, big and tumbling, profane and heartfelt, rough-edged and charming—just like the man himself. This book will stand among the most important chronicles of our region’s history.
— David Giffels, author of Barnstorming Ohio to Understand America and the memoirs Furnishing Eternity and All the Way Home

Maybe we needed a former sportswriter, Steve Love, to unravel the enigma of the former quarterback, Don Plusqullic . . .  Love provides not only well-reported, nimbly written insights into the man but also takes us behind the scenes to show us what it takes to run a city. So whether you have booed or cheered the mayor, I think you’ll agree that Love scores a touchdown with this book.
— Stuart Warner, former Akron Beacon Journal associate managing editor and author of Jock: A Coach’s Story

I wish I had had this book when I first came to Akron … I learned that the people of Akron speak in code, [and] there is a reluctance to clue you in. Perhaps that is the Midwest mindset. I wanted to break the code. Having finished the book . . . I am closer to deciphering the encryption. The book is biased in favor of the former mayor. So what! This biography is also a biography of the life and recent history of the city of Akron. If you are a newcomer or an outsider, the book provides background and context and thus perhaps a guide to translate the secret language of Akronites
— Martin H. Belsky, Randolph Baxter Professor of Law and former dean University of Akron School of Law

OTHER BOOKS BY STEVE LOVE